"labor equity + healthcare" fee added to a restaurant bill (Chicago: closing, restaurants)

[G in MP]

So how common is this now in Chicago?

[Cool Arrow]

Sounds like a scam. Shouldn't the employer pay their healthcare costs?

[DaBears02]

Can’t say I’ve ever seen it. Name and shame the restaurant.

[G in MP]

Originally Posted by DaBears02

Can’t say I’ve ever seen it. Name and shame the restaurant.

Bungalow by Middle Brow in Logan Square. I didn't even notice that charge at the time, so that's on me for not checking the bill.

[G in MP]

Wow, this place! Check out this google maps review of the place, mentioning this fee, and the response from the owner. What a condescending pr*ck!:

Randy Biker
6 reviews
3 months ago

7.5% labor fee. Just increase your prices and stop being dishonest.


Response from the owner 3 months ago

sorry randy biker. ethics prof. it’s a big ruse!!! to enrich ………… our dishwasher with an extra $1.38 per transaction. and to squirrel away another $0.30 per transaction to eventually replace her with a machine! so that someday we can *save* you money! we’re the anti-uber! raising prices now to save you money later! and don’t you hate uber?! the dishonesty… am i right?

[Sunbiz1]

Google reviews are a joke, I've had stale nacho chips at places with 4.5 ratings; and 500 reviews.

[Hiruko]

I saw this the other day in Lakeview News - Uncensored. I've never seen it before at any dining establishments I have frequented. Most restaurants allow customers to opt out of it, as far as I know.

[G in MP]

Originally Posted by Hiruko

I saw this the other day in Lakeview News - Uncensored. I've never seen it before at any dining establishments I have frequented. Most restaurants allow customers to opt out of it, as far as I know.

I can't imagine they could legally make this an obligatory charge w/o first disclosing it to the customer.

Reading reviews of this place, sounds like they tried all sorts of creative charges slipped into the bill. Evidently, they used to include gratuity into the bill regardless of party size. Some reviewers complained they didn't notice that on the bill, and would tip the waiter on top of that. At least this seems to have stopped being their practice.

[Sunbiz1]

I was just shown a receipt from a restaurant in L.A., a 4% employee welfare charge was added to the bill.
There's a simple solution for this nonsense, reduce your tip by 4%.

[Cool Arrow]

Originally Posted by Sunbiz1

I was just shown a receipt from a restaurant in L.A., a 4% employee welfare charge was added to the bill.
There's a simple solution for this nonsense, reduce your tip by 4%.

You're hurting the employee not the employer and this is the act of the employer